Kung Fu Fridays in May 2013

Oops, April ends today and I haven't announced what's on tap on Kung Fu Fridays in May. How are my friends going to know what to expect if I don't?! So here it is, four Fridays and a special Saturday marathon, the subject of which should be obvious from Daniel-San's presence on the poster.

The Shadow Whip - Haven't watched a Shaw Bros. flick in a while, especially an early one (they tend to have better production values). All I really know about The Shadow Whip (aside from the featured weapon) is that it stars Cheng Pei-Pei dressed like Santa Claus amid wintry scenery. Christmas in May?

The Lady - Luc Besson's 2011 English/Burmese-language film about Aung San Suu Kyi, the core of Burma's independence movement, as played by Michelle Yeoh. Sure, KFF can do straight drama, why not?

Karate Kid Marathon - Skipping one of May's five Fridays for a day-long special event during which we will watch all five Karate Kid films. The classic original! The one where he goes to Okinawa! The one nobody remembers! The one with Hilary Swank as the Kid! And the shoulda-been-called Kung Fu Kid with Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith! Sorry, none of the short-lived animated series stuff.

Full Contact - Ringo Lam directs Chow Yun-Fat and Simon Yam (why do I feel hungry all of a sudden?) in this gun fu film in John Woo's heroic bloodshed tradition. Oh, Anthony Wong is in it too? Definitely one for fans of Hard Boiled, looks like.

City of Life and Death - In 1937, Japan occupied Nanjing, the Chinese capital. There was a battle and subsequent atrocities against the inhabitants, especially those who took refuge in the International Security Zone. From my research, I can confirm to the rather large subset of history buffs in my Kung Fu Friday Clan that this is a very good historical film. (I feel I need to after the disappointment engendered by Jackie Chan's 1911.)

So a star-studded month ahead of us! It all starts next Friday. And if you can't join us, watch This Week in Geek for capsule reviews of each film.